What's your excuse?

There are many reasons why you might be avoiding or delaying your mammogram. These reasons may vary depending on where you live, your age group, or your financial situation and can include everything from extreme fear of being diagnosed with breast cancer, to doctors/hospitals making you nervous.

These reasons are a reality for many women across the world, but there are ways to work around them so you are sure to get your mammogram every year.

I forgot.
I don't have insurance.
Doctors and hospitals make me nervous.
I am afraid to hear the results of the exam.
It will hurt.

I forgot.
With job and family responsibilities, it's sometimes very easy to forget about getting your mammogram. Women can't depend on their doctor to remind them when the test is due, and that is why it is very important to take action and be an advocate for your health and well-being.

Here's how you can remember.
We encourage you to schedule your mammogram during a memorable time of the year; some women use their birthday or their child's birthday as an annual reminder. Need a friendly nudge to schedule your annual mammogram? Sign-up now for our email reminder to help make sure you never miss your mammogram again. Make the promise to take care of yourself. Do it for yourself and the people you love.
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I don't have insurance.
While lack of insurance is a major barrier to healthcare access, even having insurance does not guarantee access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare. Although men and women have some similar challenges with regard to health insurance, women have greater difficulty affording healthcare services even once they are insured.¹ Not having adequate healthcare coverage is a very real concern for some women and can be a major roadblock to preventative screenings like annual mammograms or Pap tests.

Here's how to get an exam, no matter what.
During the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, some community or women's groups offer free or very low-cost mammograms. To find a program, call the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Care Helpline at 1-800 IM AWARE (1-800-462-9273). Or contact the YWCA's ENCOREplus program anytime for a referral for a free or low-cost mammogram.

You can also visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website to find a program in your area that offers low-cost or free mammograms to uninsured and underinsured women who qualify. Or contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 for information about facilities in your area.

There are many state run programs and/or local hospitals that run mammogram donation initiatives as well. Contact your doctor, local hospital or imaging center to find out if there are any low-cost or free mammogram options available.

If you can't afford a mammogram, make the promise to look into your options so you can be proactive in taking care of yourself. Do it for yourself and the people you love. Return to top

Doctors and hospitals make me nervous.
People who are unsure of healthcare systems are more likely to postpone treatment or ignore recommendations, potentially hurting their own health and raising overall health care costs. You may be unnerved by doctors for many different reasons, maybe how you were raised or because of a bad experience in the past. These are very real concerns that can affect decisions about taking care of your health.

Here's how to build trust.
The most important way to move past your uncertainty of the medical community is to find a doctor, a practice and/or a hospital that you are comfortable with. Having someone that makes you feel at ease and that you feel comfortable talking to is critical for sharing information and helping you stay in good health. You have to be an advocate for your own health, so don't be afraid to ask questions and work together with your physician to make the best decisions for your well being.

Not sure where to find a good doctor? Ask friends and family for recommendations. Make the promise to see a doctor and ask about scheduling your annual mammogram. Do it for yourself and the people you love. Return to top

I am afraid to hear the results of the exam.
According to a Society for Women's Health Research poll, breast cancer remains the single most feared disease among women. You most likely know at least one woman who has gone through breast cancer, and that may be one of the reasons that prevent you from getting a mammogram.

Here's how to face your fear.
Fear of finding out the results of your mammogram is totally normal. But there are some things you should know before you give in to your fears. If there is an abnormality found during your mammogram, most of the time, it is not breast cancer. In most instances, additional tests (imaging studies and/or biopsy) lead to a final interpretation of normal breast tissue or benign (noncancerous) tissue.

A woman's lifetime chance of getting breast cancer is 1 in 8, but with successful treatment, survival rates for breast cancer patients are dramatically affected by early detection of breast cancers.² In fact, when breast cancer is detected before it has spread to lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent.³

So, please get the facts before missing another mammogram. Embrace the power that you do have, face your fear and get screened on a regular basis. To learn more, download Breast Health FAQs.
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It will hurt.
While most women probably know that getting an annual mammogram is important, they may avoid or delay having one due to the discomfort associated with the exam.

Here's how to take the pain out of your mammogram.
Now there is a way to improve the mammogram experience. A softer, warmer more comfortable mammogram is available to patients. There is a foam pad that some imaging centers and hospitals use that serves as a cushion between a woman's breast and the mammography machine. The breast cushion has been shown in clinical studies to significantly reduce the pain of a mammogram. Learn more about the softer mammogram or find a hospital or imaging center near you that provides a softer mammogram.

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